Two youths charged in Facebook Marketplace iPhone robberies
Edmonton police arrested two boys on June 11 after investigating a series of robberies targeting iPhone sellers across the city.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Two Edmonton youths face multiple charges after police investigated a series of Facebook Marketplace robberies between April and May.
The suspects posed as buyers interested in purchasing iPhones, then robbed sellers of the items — often threatening them with bear spray or a knife. The robberies occurred in the Richfield and Millbourne areas, with suspects fleeing on foot after each incident.
Edmonton Police Service arrested the two boys on June 11. They face a total of seven charges, including four counts of robbery, two counts of breach of probation, and assault with a weapon. Their identities cannot be released due to their age.
Police have received approximately 26 reports related to iPhone-related incidents exclusively on Facebook Marketplace. The crimes are being committed by multiple people across the city who are not always connected to each other, EPS said.
The service recommends that sellers avoid meeting buyers in secluded places or inviting strangers into their homes. Always request photo ID from buyers and take screenshots of advertisements, the advertisement ID number, and any other identifying information. Police noted these crimes are severely underreported and encourage anyone victimized on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji to contact them.